Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-29
Lake Sharpe,S Case.

New YORK, June 2S.-Thirty- two days
of trial, such as Jake Sharpe has under
goue, in the very heat of summer and at
his time of life is an ordeal that cannot be
safely passed, yet this old man with all his
manifold physical ailments has borne up
bravely under it. He was no stronger
than usual when he came into court this
morning, nor did he appear to be any
weaker than usual. He said to q reporter
that the effect of Dr. LOOMS prescription of
yesterday was to make him sleep better
than he had at any time since his commit
ment to Jail.
Mr.. Dayton of the senate clerical force
was recalled to testify with reference to
the general surface railroad bill of 1888
At the conclusion of the testimony of Mr.
Bliss, Mr. Parsons announced that the de-
Tense rested their case. Judge Barrett
then adjourned court until tomorrow.
The Mail and Express in an extra edition
says: 1t is believed that Jake Sharp is
dying. His physicians and lawyers say
his condition is very critical. His defense
ended in a fiasco at 2:3O o'clock this after
noon. Everyone was surprised at the sud
den turn in affairs. At the beginning of
the trial it was Sharp's expressed determi-
nation to take the stand ia his own
defense. He explained to his counsel
how he would answer and explain all
the seeming deficiencies in his examina-
ton before the senate committee, He
went so far as to avow that he would rath
er be convicted than permit the statements
of witnesses for the prosecution to go I'M
contradicted by him. Everything was ar
ranged that SO Sharp should testify. From
the beginning of the trial until the night
Judge Barrett ordered his committal to
Ludlow Jail Sharp spent several days after
the adjournment of court in perfecting the
statement which he would make to the
jury From the time that he was con-
fined in jail he has failed and
yesterday afternoon when his counsel,
Stickney, Parson & Milton, told him TO
prepare to take the stand they found to
their horror that Sharpe was a physical
wreck, and that even mentally he was not
in a fit condition to be witness: his mem
DRY was poor, and though while fully real
izing his situation he acknowledged that
he was too weak to stand the strain OF
cross examination, Prof. LOOMS, Sharpe's
physician, visited him in the court room
soon after: be found that Sharpe was in
critical condition, and the counsel came to
the conclusion that to put him on the stand
ton of several hours duration would end
in his death
Lawyer Mitchell said this evening that
WAS the only reason for putting the defen
don't on the stand. The reporter subse-
queutly learned that it is the opinion of
Shapes physician that he cannot live
longer than ten days or two weeks, The
slightest excitement will cause death owing
to the condition Of his heart. In the
next few days his business affairs will be
wound up with view to the end. A
scheme is under consideration by those in
terested in Sharpe's case which, if carried
out successfully. will take the case out Of
the jurisdiction of the jury tomorrow
before the lawyers have chance to display
their power of oratory in summing up.
1t has been suggested that certificates
from such eminent physicians as Prof.
LOOMS and his associates that Sharpe
would in all probability drop dead in the
court room when the jury brought in their
verdict If the case should be given to
them, no matter whether il be guilty or
not guilty, would result in Judge Barrett
stopping the trial just where it is. At any
event his counsel are of the opinion after
listening to the advice of the doctors that
Sharpe will never live to 60 10 Sing Sing.